Establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

BALTIMORE -- After years of debate and failed legislation, Marylanders passed the same-sex marriage referendum on Election Day Tuesday.

Question 6 asked voters to decide whether to approve or reject the Civil Marriage Protection Act. The referendum, which was passed by the General Assembly in 2012, would allow same-sex couples to obtain a civil marriage license.

According to the Maryland State Board of Elections website, the referendum also protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

The campaigns for and against the measure in the months leading up to Nov. 6 included a series of high-profile commercials and supporters trying to sway votes in their favor.

The result comes after a great amount of push for and against the law. Opponents said the law went against the definition of marriage, which they believe is a union between a man and a woman. But, supporters, including Gov. Martin O'Malley, call it a civil rights issue.

Maryland Same-Sex Marriage Debate in photos:

In photos: Maryland's same-sex marriage debate

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Flanked by the Senate president and the House speaker, Gov. Martin O'Malley signs the Civil Marriage Protection Act into law.

Energy at the Canton headquarters of Marylanders for Marriage Equality buzzed the day after the elections with congratulations and excitement.

"We're really excited. (On) Jan. 1, 2013, gay and lesbian couples are going to get married here in the state of Maryland. (They'll be able) to go to City Hall and get a state-issued marriage license, and it's great," said Sultan Shakir, political director for Marylanders for Marriage Equality. "We won one of the largest coalition efforts the state of Maryland has ever had. It paid off."

Tuesday's election marked the first time a same-sex marriage bill has ever passed as a ballot item nationwide. Supporters credited months of running a grassroots campaign.

"I really believe it's because of the diversity of the coalition we have. It's about the fact that we ran a very localized campaign and really focused on Maryland voters and Maryland values," Shakir said.

Those opposed to the measure point to the vote tally split by 4 points.

"I was disappointed but life goes on," said Baltimore County Delegate Emmett Burns Jr., D-District 10. "(I'm) disappointed because the state is so evenly split over this issue."

Burns said he's not sure where the vote leaves the movement against same-sex marriage, but as far as he's concerned, it's a done deal.

"We live in a democracy. We'll move on to something else," he said.

But work remains unfinished for supporters.

"This was a very large very diverse coalition that pulled off something that's big and historic, and it's going to have a rippling effect across the country," Shakir said. "We're going to use that momentum and continue going forward."

"Maryland made history tonight, and I am proud," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, who had been a vocal proponent of the measure throughout the campaign. "We achieved this important step toward equality because civil rights leaders, church leaders and the LGBT community came together throughout the state with a united message that civil marriage is a civil right."

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake at the podium at the Yes for 6 gathering on Tuesday night shared her thoughts on the passage.

"I'm so grateful for the people of Maryland for standing up for dignity, for standing up for equality," Rawlings-Blake said. "I say thank you for not giving up. Thank you for fighting with everything you have. Because the victory is so much sweeter because we fought for it."

O'Malley's office released the following statement:

"Over these past few weeks, Marylanders joined together to affirm that for a free and diverse people of many faiths -- a people committed to religious freedom -- the way forward is always found through greater respect for the equal rights and human dignity of all.

“A lot of people worked very hard to make this day possible, including the Human Rights Campaign, the NAACP, SEIU, clergy and community leaders.

"To Maryland's children -- please know that you and your families matter to the people of our State. Whether your parents happen to be gay or straight, Democratic, Republican or Independent, your families are equal before the eyes of the law.

"We have tremendous challenges as a nation, and it is my sincere hope that we can come together to meet those challenges with greater respect for the dignity of every individual.

"We are one Maryland, and all of us, at the end of the day, want the same thing for our children: to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected equally under the law.

"As we have done so often in our state's history, Marylanders chose to come together to affirm this profound truth that has served as both the cornerstone -- and the beacon of hope -- of our nation.

"By this vote, the people of our state affirmed that we are one Maryland and that we’re all in this together."

The Maryland Marriage Alliance released the following statement Friday afternoon:

"We are blessed by this democratic process that allowed over a million Maryland voters to go on record in support of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

"I speak for MMA's coalition of diverse organizations and individuals when I say that we are encouraged that throughout this campaign, hundreds of thousands of petition signers, volunteers and supporters continued to stand firm in their knowledge that marriage is a unique institution that is the foundation of stable societies.

"We respect the results that have come from a democratic process. We look forward to continuing to work with Maryland residents all across the state to promote strong and healthy marriages that will ensure that all children have the best chance of being raised by a dad and a mom."

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